Because children make up the vast majority of myringotomy patients, special care must be taken to address the fears and anxieties that are naturally associated with any surgical procedure.

Parents should answer questions honestly, and reassure the child that they will be close by before, during and after the procedure. Children also will be comforted to know that the procedure involves minimal discomfort and that their symptoms are likely to rapidly improve after having the surgery.

Patients must not eat or drink anything (including water, candy or chewing gum) for six hours before the surgery. Anything in the stomach during surgery increases the likelihood of complications related to the anesthesia.

Patients who are sick with fever or other illness the day before or day of surgery may not be good candidates for the procedure. Patients should call the physician or hospital for additional guidance.

The patient will be placed under a general anesthetic and will not be conscious during the surgery. A gas anesthetic is generally used for younger children, while older patients may receive a mixture of gas and an intravenous medication. Throughout the surgery, the patient’s oxygen saturation (via a pulse oximeter) and cardiac rhythm (via an electrocardiogram) will be continuously monitored.

During the procedure, an otic speculum (an instrument used to widen an opening in the body) is inserted in the external ear canal. The surgeon will then use an operating microscope to make a small incision in the eardrum and fluid will be suctioned out. Ear tubes (also known as tympanostomy tubes, or pressure equalization tubes) will then be inserted. These tubes are shaped like a hollow spool and made of plastic, ceramic, gold, stainless steel or other materials. They allow air to flow in to the middle ear and fluid to continuously flow out. The incision made in the eardrum usually heals on its own and stitches are not needed.

The patient will then have drops placed in the ear, and cotton plugs will be inserted in the ear canal to control bleeding.

The procedure is done on an outpatient basis and usually takes 10 to 15 minutes. In most cases, the entire process lasts a few hours from the time patients enter the hospital until the time they leave. Very young children or those with more significant medical problems may stay in the hospital for a longer period of time.

Patients may resume a normal diet as soon as they have fully recovered from the anesthetic. However, postoperative nausea is not unusual, so patients should eat carefully at first. Patients can typically return to normal activities, such as school or work, the day after the procedure.